Voting-machine.



Fig. 1.

H. C. H. CUOPBR. Y VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 189s.

Patented June 13, 1911.

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VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIoAToN FILED MAY as, 189e.

Patented June 13, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

H. C. H.y COOPER.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 29. wasv Patented June 13,1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

H. o. H. COOPER.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED MAY 29, 1896.

99,125,326. l Patented 'June 13, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

H. C. H. COOPER.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLIOATION HLBD Muze, 189s.

Patented June 13, 1911.

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H. C. H. COOPER.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 29. 1896.

Patented .111116 13, 1911. 7 sEBTs-SHBBT s.

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H. C. H. COOPER.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAYzs, 1896.

Patented June 13, 1911.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. H. COOPER, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, TO EMPIRE VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, .A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VOTING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. H. COOPER, a citizen of'the United States,residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua, in the State of NewYork, have invented certain Improvements in Voting-Machines, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements .in voting machines,-designed moreparticularly for use on that type of positive-acting voting-machineswhich was iirst shown in Patent No. 526,668, issued Sept. 25, 1894, toS. E. Davis, but capable of use in other relations.

My improvements are fully described and illustrated in the followingspeciiication and the accompanying drawings, the novel features thereofbeing specified in the claims annexed to the said specification.

In the accompanying drawings representing my improvements, Figure 1 is afront elevation of the key-plate of a voting machine arranged for sixparties and for candidates for three different oiiices, embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same,-the door beingopen. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one of the counter-sectionsdetached. Fig. 4 is a side view of my improved voting machine, as seenfrom the left in Fig. 2,-the casing next the observer being removed.Fig. 5 is a front view of the shutter, by which the ccunters are covereduntil the close of an election. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of one of thecounters. Fig. 7 is a side-view of the palleted lever the toothed wheeland circular plate of one of the counters. Fig. 8 is a side-view of oneof the palleted yokes and the disk which operates it. Fig. 9 is acentral vertical section on the line 9 9 Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a side viewof one of the counters, as seen from t-he right hand in Fig. 6. Fig. 11represents the units-disk detached. Fig. 1Q is a side view of the upperpart of one of the interlocking rods, showing the channel for theinterlocking-blocks in section. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of theinterlocking mechanism. Fig. 14 represents the upper end o-f one of theinterlocking rods as seen from the side opposite to that shown in Fig.12. Fig. 15 represents the lower part of the key-plate with my improvedirregu- Specieation of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 29, 1896.

Patented J une 13, 1911. Serial No. 593,558.

lar voting mechanism. Fig. 16 is a rear elevation of my improvedirregular voting mechanism. Fig. 17 is a side view of the same,partially in section, showing the connection with the interlocking rod.Fig. 18 is a side view of the irregular balloting mechanism showing theconnection with the interlocking mechanism. Fig. 19 is a side view ofthe same, showing the mechanism for delivering the ballot-holderinto'the ballot-receptacle. Fig. 20 represents the cam on the door orturnstile.

In the accompanying drawings, A is the key-plate, which is arranged inthe vertical provided with any suitable entrance and exit doors, andsuitable connect-ions are arranged so that a voter on leaving the boothresets the apparatus into the-normal'position, ready for the next voter.The booth is not shown in the accompanying drawings, but it will be beunderstood that such part of the machine is arranged in-any suitable orpreferred way. j

' The construction of that portion of vmy improvements herein describeddiffers from that shown in the said Davis patent principally inthat,-the count in my machine is taken off from the front side of thekeyplate. I also provide a device by which the voter is enabled to seethat the counter moves when he votes, although he cannot observe thenumber of votes registered on the unitswheel of the counter.

The voting apparatus is provided at the back with a door, D, Fig. 2, butthis is only used to inspect the machinery and to set the counters, andit may be locked and sealed during the whole of an election, includingthe counting of the votes cast. The keyplate A is provided withapertures opposite the counters, which apertures ar'e closed by alsuitable shutter or shutters while the election is in progress, butwhich are opened when the voting is over, so as to permit the properelection oliicials to inspect the counters from the front of the plateand to count the votes cast for the diilerent candidates, and toannounce the result. By taking olf the vote 'from the trent of thekeyplate l dispense with one set oit ballots or ballot-captions, sincetwo such sets must be used when the vote is examined Yfrom the rear,-onein front and one on the back,- and thereby either reduce the amount ofprinting or dispense with it entirely, and prevent errors which mightarise, through accident or design, from misplaced namecards, or othercauses. In my construction the figures on the counter are displayed atthe close of the election, in immediate proximity to the placardindicating the ollice and the name of the candidate. My improvedvoting-machine differs in other respects from those described in thesaid patent ot Davis, and in the Davis patents olf' Nov. 12, and Nov.19, 1895, as will be pointed out later. Provision may be made forirregular-balloting in `any suitable way,-such for instance as thatshown in the said Davis patents, or as described hereinafter.

The key-plate is provided with a series et movable parts or keys, whichmay be either pushes or pulls, or, as shown in the accom panyingdrawings, levers B, C, Fig. 1, which may be moved downward by the voterto operate the corresponding counters.

rThe voting apparatus is inclosed within a suitable supporting frame, orbox, G, which sustains the parts and protects them from injury orinterference. rl`he key-plate forms the front of the box or inclosure,and the door' D the back or' rear side. rThe keys project through slotsin the plate-being provided, it' desired, (see C Fig. 17,) with curvedwings inside the plate to keep the slots closed in all positions of thekeys. In the construction shown in Fig. 17, one et these wings worksinside the key-plate, and the other, which is on the lower edge otl thekey, travels down outside the platethe edges of these wings being curvedon a circle 'from the center ZL.

The counters in each vertical line are supported in a removable channelor section, F, to which the keys B are also pivoted. The channel F isshaped like a trough, with its open side behind,-the front side whichcorresponds to the bottom oit' the trough being provided with apertures761 through which the counters are read ott, and the two sides beingperforated to support the pins or studs which carry the counters andtheir operating parts. The channeled sections facilitate theconstruction and assembling of the machine,

since all the counters and their connected parts -for any one verticalline may be put together on the bench and the channel then placed in themachine as a whole, ready for use,-it only being' necessary to connectthe interlocking rods a. to the levers J. The removal or replacement ofthe counter channels or" sections is made from the front ot themachine,-the key-plate A when put on serving to hold the sections inplace.

The base b of the machine is provided with a series of lugs orprojections el, oit a size corresponding with the width of the channelsbetween the sides, which lugs serve to secure the channels in place whenthe latter are inserted on them. A corresponding series et lugs, b1, onthe transverse plate c, serves to secure the upper ends ot' thechannels, which are slipped onto the lugs from the front of theapparatus,-the key plate A when attached holding the channels in placeon the lugs. ln this way provision is made for easily inserting orremoving the channels, with their' counters and keys.

The method of actuating the counters will be understood trom Figs. 6 to11 inclusive. lach of the counters consists of three numbered disks, I,l1, 12,-of which I is the units-disk, Il the tens-disk, and l2 thehundreds-disk. The disks consist of a circular plate (Z, having a llangee turned or drawn on it,-the l'lange being marked with the ligures 0 toS) in any suitable way. The counter-disks are supported so as to revolvefreely on a stud 0 secured in the side-walls oi" the channels F in anysuitable way. Each of the counter disks is provided with a toothed orstar-wheel, f, which is secured to the disk by the rivets g.

J is the palleted lever which actuates the units-disk, and J1, J2, thepalleted yokes which actuate the tens and hundreds-disks respectively.

The lever and yokes are pivotcd so as to turn freely on the stud ZL.secured in the side walls of the channel in any suitable way. The key Bis also pivoted on the stud /r, which on one side extends beyond thesidewalls of the channel. The key B is provided with a projecting lip z'at its lower end, which reaches under the lever J and cause' the latter'to swing on its pivot, when the outer end of the key is depressed. Thelever J is made of such a shape, as shown, that when it swings, theinclined pallets Z Z1, Fig'. 7, with which it is provided, engage withthe teeth of the star-wheel f, and iinpart to it a step-by-stepmovement, of one twentieth of a revolution at each step. Zhen the voterfully depresses the outer end of the key B, the lever J is raised, thepallet Z1 swings inward and engages with one of the teeth of the wheelj". `When th-e voter leaves the booth, the lever' J is returned to thenormal position, and this motion engages the pallet Z between two of theteeth of the wheel f, and imparts to it the second step necessary tobring the next ligure into proper position relativeq to the aperture.71:1 in the front of the channel F, through which the indications ofthe counter are visible. It will be observed that one or the other ofthe pallets Z Z1 are all the time engaged with the teeth of thestar-wheel f, and that thus any accidental movement of the numbered diskis prevented. It will also be understood that, since the countingmovement of the disk is not completed until the voter leaves the booth,it is impossible to repeat a vote, or otherwise tamper with the counter.At its rear end the lever J is provided with a stud m, to which theinterlocking rods a are pivoted. These studs m are made of differentlengths, the shortest being on the lever of the upper counter, in theconstruction shown, as indicated in the rear view, Fig. 2, so that theinterlockingrods, a are straight and parallel with each other,-eachlower stud m being enough longer than the one next above it, to allowits interlocking rod to pass by the rod attached to such higher stud.The lever J also carries a. stud n, which produces the return movementof the yokes J1 2, when the apparatus is reset to normal position. Thesestuds n are all of the same length, extending over both of the yokes.

When the units-disk I has made a complete revolution, it is necessary toshift the tens-disk I1 a tenth of a revolution. rIhis is accomplished bya swinging movement of the palleted yoke J1, which is moved in onedirection by the units-disk I and in the opposite direction by the studn on the lever J. The pallets Z2 Z3 of the yoke J1 act on the teeth ofthe star-wheel f1, which is attached to the tens-disk I1. rlhe pallet Z2of the yoke J1 is provided with a pin, 29, which projects into the openspace inside the flange c of the units-disk, I, and at the proper timeencounters the inclined flange g, by which the pin 79 is forcedoutward,-this movement disengaging the pallet Z2 from the starwheel, andengaging the pallet Z2 with it on the opposite side, thereby impartingonetwentieth of a revolution to the wheel f and the tens-disk I1. Theflange g is so placed on the units disk, relatively to the figures onthe flange, that it encounters the pin y) at the time the units counter,as viewed through the aperture 7c, is changing from 9 to 0,-at whichtime the tens-disk should change from O to 1. The flange Q is attachedto the units disk in any suitable way, such as the rivets g which fastenthe star wheel to the disk.

In Fig. 11, a plate is indicated by the dotted lines z5, which may besecured to the units-disk by the rivets g,-the flange g being bent upfrom such plate. A circular flange,vu, Fig. l1, may also be employed, ofa diameter sufficient to pass just outside the pin p, which operates toprevent any accidental movement of the yoke J1 when the lever J israised. the flange u should be cut away just in front of and behind theflange g, to permit the movement of the pin, and the two flanges may beformed in one piece and secured to the'disk by the rivets g as beforedescribed. rlhe flange u may be bent outward, as indicated by the dottedlines u1, Fig. 11, so as to insure the engagement of the pin 22 insideof it. lIhe yoke J1 is pivoted so as to swing freely on the stud Zt, andit is extended upward between the disks, as indicated at o, to preventthe disks from coming in contact with each other. The return movement ofthe yoke J1, which completes the counting movement of the tens-disk, issecured by the downward motion of the ever J, acting through the stud non the upper edge of the arm w on the yoke.

The method of imparting one-tenth of a revolution to the hundreds-diskI2, when the tens-disk I1 has made a complete revolution, is similar tothat already described for operating the tens-disk from the units-disk.The tens-disk Il is provided with a flange like Q, and the yoke J2 isprovided with a pin corresponding to pin p. The operation of the partsis exactly similar to that already described. lI`he yokes J1 and J2 areinterchangeable with each other, and so also are the disks I1 and I2,except that the latter, in case only three counters are used, countingup to 999, need not be provided with the flange g.

rlhe setting of the counters at zero is easily accomplished. rlhe door Dbeing open, the election official sees that the units disk shows thefigure 8 through the opening /c raises the lever J, and then, by workingthe arms fw of the yokes J1 J2, rotates the disks I1 I2, until thefigures 9 on them show through the aperture Ze. rIhis occurs when thefigures i on the disks are visible from the back, on a level with thestud 0. Either of the disks may be so set before the other. rIlle up anddown movement of the lever J also sets the units-disk at 9, and then asingle movement of the key B and resetting bar Y changes all the disksfrom 999 to O00,- in which position the machine is in condition to beginan election. `When the circular flange u is employed, the setting canonly be done when the units and tens-disks are in such position that thepin 79 can pass through the opening between the flange q and the ends ofthe flange lu,-preferably through the space between Q and the front endof the flange u. The disks will then show between 4 and 5 on thehorizontal line from the back.

It is desirable to give a voter a visible In this case indication of theoperation of the voting apparatus, so that he may know that he hasvoted. This I accomplish by allowing a portion of the units disk, or theedge of a plate revolving therewith, to be seen through an opening inthe key-plate, and by so marking or coloring the surface so visible thata change of the marking or coloring may be observed by the voter, everytime the units disk moves. For instance, an opening, being made throughthe key-plate opposite the row of characters, y, Fig. G, on theunits-disk l, the change from one character to another will be vvisibleto the voter. The characters may be alternately 0 and a@ or a cross, andthen when a persen votes, the 0 will change to a; or a cross in avisible manner. Any other suitable characters maybe employed, or thespaces may be of different colors, say red and white, and then thevisible portion of the disk would change from red to white, or viceversa, at each voting operation. A circular plate, p1, Figs. t3 and 7,may bc attached to the units disk on the outer side of the star-wheel,and the edge of this disk, suitably marked or colored, may be displayedthrough an opening in the key-plate. This plate 791 also serves as aguide for the lever J. Tn any arrangement, provision should be made forpreventing the voter from seeing any of the figures on thecounter-disks, either by bringing the units disk or the edge of theplate p1 close against the key-plate, or by extending flanges backwardfrom the edges of the aperture in the key-plate.

The arrangement of the shutter, by which the figures on the counters arecovered during the progress of an election, will be understood fromFigs. l, le and 5. Tn the construction shown, the shutter consists of anumber of strips of sheet-metal, L,-one for each channeled sectioinwandall being attached to the cross-bar M so that they may be shiftedsimultaneously. Each of the strips is provided with a series ofapertures, N, Figs. l and 5, which correspond with the apertures 7ethrough the key-plate A. The strips L are arranged in front of thesection and normally, while an election is being held, with the openingsN out of register with the openings 7c. Tn this position, the countersare protected from view by the shutter, but at the close of the polls,the shutter is shifted by any suitable means, so that the openings Ncome opposite the holes 7J, when the indications on the counters areexposed. Tt will be observed that the openings cl in the front-wall ofthe channeled sections come opposite the openings Z: in the key-plate.The strips L slide between the front of the section and the key-plate,being guided in any suitable way, if necessary. The shaft t), crank Pand connection Q, form a convenient way of shifting the shutter, so asto cover or uncover the figures on the counters. This shaft extendsacross the machine, being supported in suitable bearings, and providedwith the crank P which is connected with the cross-bar M by the link Q.The shaft O is provided at one side of the machine wit-h the handle l,and it may be arranged so as to be locked in either or both positions ofthe shutter, or other devices may be employed to hold the shutter in theopen or closed position. A lock, S, Fig. 1l, the bolt of which engageswith a pin or pins-or in a notched plate attached to the shaft O answersthis purpose effectively,-the keys being held by the election officialsuntil the close of the polls.

Tn case the movement of the counter be made visible, an additionalopening, 01, Figs, l and 5, is made through the shutter, in suchposition as to display the row of characters, fj, Fig. G, on theunits-disk, or the row of characters or parti-colored spaces on the edgeof the circular plate p1, while the figures on the counters are covered.These openings 01 register with the openings 7c in the key-plate, sothat the characters or colors are visible through them. tt will howeverbe understood that the device for rendering the movement ot' the countervisible may be employed on voting-machines which are read from the back,and are not provided with shutters,-in which case the apertures 01 wouldbe made in the key-plate, and in the front of the channeled section. Itwill also be understood that the shutter may be made in one piece, andthat various different devices for shifting and locking it may beadopted.

The construction and operation of the interlocking mechanism will beunderstood from Figs. 2, 4t, l2, 13 and let. Each of the levers J ispivoted to an inte1locking-rod, a, and these interlocking-rods areprovided near their upper ends with the thickened or wedge-like portionss, which when one of the rods is raised by the operation of its key,force the interlocking-blocks e3, Fig. 13, apart, so that they fill thewhole space between the abutments T T1, and thus prevent the raising ofany other rod and the actuation of any other key in the same verticalline. The blocks e3, are slightly movable laterally in their supports,and the rods a are permitted also the requisite amount of lateralmovement. The upper parts g1 of the interlocking rods and the blocks aremade of such thicknesses, that, when one of the wedges s is thrust inbetween them, the rods at each side of the series bear against theabutments T T1, and none of the other wedges can be inserted, so thatthe voter finds it impossible to vote for more than one of thecandidates for any particular oflice. The lower ends of the interlockingblocks are preferably rounded llO or beveled. The bar U extends acrossthe machine, being sustained in any suitable manner, and supports theblocks and the abutments. The blocks are made somewhat wider than theupper portions of the interlocking-rods, as indicated in Fig. 12,-sothat they rest at their lower corners on the bar U,which is perforatedto allow the rods to pass through it. The channel 72,1 serves to holdthe blocks in place on the bar U,-being provided with flanges which arevfastened to the bar. The abutments are prevented from moving lengthwisein the channel, by the bolts, screws or pins, 1, which pass through thevertical sides of the channel. These pins or screws are made removable,for the purpose of adapting the machine to multicandidate or groupvoting, as hereinafter described. The interlockingrods cr may be hollow,being formed by drawing a metallic strip of suitable width vthrough adie, and having their lower ends flattened and perforated, forattachment to the studs m of the levers J. At their upper ends, the.tubular rods are brazed or otherwise secured to the strip jl, which hasits edges turned over to form the wedge or wedges s, and to which thetrips Z are pivoted, at m1, Figs. 12 and 14. At their upper ends, thestrips j1 form the thin portions g1 which are located between theinterlocking blocks e3, and by which the interlocking-rods are held inline and in proper engagement with the interlocking blocks. In theparticular construction shown, the strips j1 are secured to the tubularrods by having their lower ends inserted and brazed in the longitudinaloint of the hollow rods.

When one of the interlocking rods is raised by the actuation of itscorresponding key and counter, the catch or dog Z engages with thetrip-shaft V, and holds the rod elevated until the apparatus is restoredt0 normal condition by the voter while passing out of the booth. The keywill not remain depressed or the rod elevated, until the dog has engagedwith the trip-shaft, so that the voter knows that he has not properlyoperated the counter, until the key stays down,- the weight of theinterlocking rods and attached parts serving to return the key from anyposition to which it may have been moved, until the dog is actuallyengaged with the trip-shaft. The shaft V is provided with a projectinglip al, with which the point of the dog Z, engages, as indicated by thedotted lines in Fig. 12. A partial downward movement of the key willengage the dog with the lip, and the rolling motion of the trip-shaftwill then raise the rod further and produce the first step of themovement of the units disk. A stationary rod Q1, extending across themachine between the dogs and the interlocking-rods prevents the dogsfrom moving to@ far, and

another movable rod or bar Z4 rests on the upper or rear side of thedogs. This rod Z4 is hung on arms a3 pivoted to the frame of the machineand serves to prevent any unnecessary movement of the dog, which mayalso be accomplished by carrying the flange s down, as indicated at s1,Fig. 11i, so that it will arrest 'the movement of the dog at itsfarthest point. The dog is tripped and the rod raised and released bythe partial rotation of the trip-shaft V in the direction indicated bythe arrow in Fig. 12, the lip moving toward the rod by the movement ofthe door or turnstile as the voter passes out of the voting-compartment.Any suitable means of securing this result may be adopted, but in thearrangement shown, the shaft or pintle W, Fig. 4, of the door orturnstile is provided with a cam or crank m1, which, through theconnection y1 and crank al, imparts a partial rotation to the rockshaftvX, which, by crank a2, connection b2 and crank c2, transmits therequisite movement to the trip shaft V. The rock-shaft X extends acrossthe machine, being supported in any suitable journals. The cranks a2 c2and connection Z22 may be located at one end of the machine, and eitherinside or outside the casing. It is needless to remark that anyconnections or moving parts outside the case should be protected so thatthey cannot be interfered with. As the trip-shaft V turns, the lip alraises the dog and rod, and, passing underneath the point of the dog,allows it to escape from its engagement, so that the rod and dog mayresume their normal position, as indicated by the full lines in Fig. 12.This up and down movement is transmitted to the units-disk. Provision ismade for restoring the parts to their normal position by the movable barY, which extends along over the interlocking rods, and may rest thereon.When one of the interlocking rods is raised, the bar Y is elevated, (seefull and dotted lines Figs. 2 and 13,) and it remains in that positionuntil forced downward positively by the movement of the door orturnstile as the voter leaves the voting compartment. This movement issecured from the rock-shaft X, but, as it is necessary that the dog ordogs Z should be unlocked before the rod or rods are depressed, theconstruction is such that the trip-shaft V is moved first. This issecured by the slots in the links d2, Figs. 2 and 1, which permit thecranks e2 to move a certain distance, (during which time the dogs areunlatched by the trip-shaft V,) before the bar Y is depressed, by thepins in the cranks e2 arriving at the lower ends of the slots. The bar Yis then pressed downward, and, acting on the ends g1 of theinterlocking-rods, forces them back to their normal positions, completesthe movement of the counters, and restores all parts of the machine tothe position necessary for the next voting operation.

I provide for straight-ticket voting,- that is the ease when a voterdesires to vote for all the candidates of any one party, by arranging arow of keys, levers and counters, preferably at one side of theselective-votingmechanism, so that the voter can indicate his politicalpreference by a single movement, thereby reducing the time occupied invoting and. increasing the capacity of the machine. Suitableinterlocking mechanism is employed between the straiglit-ticket and theselective-voting mechanism, so that, a voter, having actuated thestraight ticket counter ot any political party, he cannot thereaftervote tor any of the candidates either of his own or any other party. lnthis case, in order to ascertain the total vote, it will be necessary atthe close oit the election, to add the number shown on thestraight-ticket counter to the number indicated by the counter devotedto any particular candidate of the same party,-the sum of these numbersgiving the whole vote cast `for such candidate. Thus, suppose it berequired to find the vote for the Republican candidate for lieutenantgovernor, the number of' the counter at o, Fig. l, is added to thenumber on the counter at 04,-and the sinn of these numbers representsthe wlio-le vote for this candidate. ln a similar manner, the vote forany other candidate is determined.

The keys for actuating the straight-ticket counters are represented at Cin the accompanying drawings,-the counters being of the sameconstruction as those already described, mounted in a removable sectionF, and provided with interlocking-rods, locking dogs andinterlocking-blocks in a manner similar to that previously set forth. rhe interlocking with the selective-voting counters is provided for byattaching a wedge or interlocking iod w1, Fig. 2, to the bar Y andarranging such wedge in relation with the interlocking blocks e3 andtheir abutment-s of the straight-ticket counters, so that, when the barY is raised by one of the interlocking-rods of any of theselective-voting counters, none ot' the straight-ticket counters can beoperated,-the space between the abutnients being fully occupied, so thatnone of the rods of the straight-ticket counters can be raised. On thecontrary, when one ot the straight-ticket counters has been operated,the wedge el cannot be inserted between the abutnients, the bar Y cannotbe raised, and consequently none et the selective-voting counters can beactuated. It will be seen that by this arrangement provision is made forpositively interlocking the straightticket counters and the selectivevoting mechanism, so that no voter can operate both simultaneously. Thewedge v1 is provided with a thin shank which exten is up through the barU and is pivoted to the bar Y at 1v1, Fig. 2. rThe bar Y is arranged tomove up and. down in suitable guides, or it may be swung by arms c3pivoted on a transverse shaft CL3, Figs. 2 and et. 1n order to restorethe straight-ticket counters to normal position, use the pivoted plate Kwhich is liited up by any one ot' the interlocking rods, and is forceddownward by the pin f2 on the arin (/2 on the rock-shaft X, (see Fig.4). The plate K extends over all the interlocking-rods ot' the straightticket counters, and is provided with a flange h2 which is pivoted tothe traine, at 2', and extends upward into the path of the pin f2. lltwill be observed that, when the rock-shaft X moves, the trip-shaft Vwill be operated before the pin f2 enounters the flange k2. Thetripshaft, and its longitudinal `flange or ledge al, are convenientlyformed by bending a strip of suitable metal around a sliatt, leaving theledge to project, and by securing the parts together by pins or screws.

In order to provide Ylor the irregularvote,-that is for the votes whichmay be cast for persons not put in nomination by any oit the politicalparties, I furnish the irregular voter with a box or ballot-holder, otlany suitable or preferred torni, and the voter, having placed hisballot, either written or printed, in the holder, inserts the latter inan opening in the key-plate, which operates the interlocking mechanismso that the voter cannot vote for any other candidate tor the sameottice, and then, when the voter leaves the booth, the ballot-holder isdelivered into the ballot-receptacle.

The ballot holder may be round or flat, and open at one end, orseparable in any suitable way. In Fig. 15 of the accompanying drawings,l have represented the orifice Q1 for the insertion ot' the ballotholderas having thc torni oit a truncated cone, and the holder Hl or" acorresponding toi-m. Behind the key-plate is placed a suitable invertedtrough or guide, L1, which is provided at the bottom with the movabledoor or support for the holder N1. The inclination of the sides ot theguide outward, prevents the stutling of it with paper or waste, sinceanything which will not 'fall out oi it whenf'the door N1 swingsdownward, will be ejected by the return movement of the plunger F1. Thedoor swings downward and opens the bottom of the guide, and returns toplace before the pliniger is moved. The guide is conveniently toi-med ofsheet metal, being provided with suitable flanges by which it isattached either to the key-plate, or to the bed R1, Figs. 17 and 1S. Orthe ballot holder-guide. may be attached to the channeled sectionsalready described` which sustain the counters ot each vertical line.When the ballotholder is inserted in the guide, the plunger P1 is forcedbackward, as represented by the full and dotted lines in Fig. 18, andthis movement is transferred to the interlocking rod a4 by thebell-crank lever S1.' The irregular interlocking rod at is provided atits upper end with the wedge and trip, the same as the interlocking rodsalready described, and it operates in the same way, to prevent votingfor any regular candidate in the same vertical line,-the only differencebeing that in a machine arranged for handling the votes of six politicalparties, if the irregular voting mechanism is einployed, there will beseven interlocking rods and their corresponding interlocking blocks andother parts. Then the rod a* of the irregular voting device isthrustupward, its wedge fills the allotted space between theinterlocking blocks, and none of the other interlocking rods of the sameseries can be operated, and consequently none of the counters in thesame vertical line can be operated. It will also be observed that if oneof the straight ticket counters is operated, the irregulars are thenlocked out, and vice versa. Consequently the simultaneous use of any ofthe straight-ticket-counters, and any of the irregulars, is prevented.Each of the irregular plungers P1 is provided with a lever S1 and aninterlocking rod at. The levers S1 are pivoted on a rod UlL extendingacross the machine and supported at its ends,and intermediately, ifrequired, by the brackets V1 attached to the bed R1. At one end thelevers S1 are pivoted to the corresponding interlocking-rods, and at theother, and to the arms T3 attached to the plunger P1. Each plunger andits arm may be made in one piece, or connected together in any suitableway. The levers S1 are each provided with a stud m2, Fig. 17, whichbrings the interlocking rods at outside of the rods a, of theselectivevoting counters. rlhe plunger may be arranged to slide in anysuitable guides, and for this purpose its stem may be a straight rod,but I prefer to swing it on the link G1, Figs. 17, and 18, which may beconveniently pivoted on the stud L of the lowest counter, which is neXtabove the irregular mechanism. The plunger and its stem being thussupported by the link G1 and the long arm of the lever S1, will travelin a course sufliciently straight for its purpose. Then the restoringbar Y, Fig. 2, descends, the inter-- locking rods a4 are forceddownward, andr the plungers P1, if any have been used, are returned tothe normal position, indicated by the full lines in Fig. 18. But beforethis occurs, as already described, the trip-bar is rocked, and the dogsZ are unlocked, and advantage is taken of this to open and close thedoors N1 at the bottom of the ballotholder guides before the plunger isreturned by the descent of the bar Y. This is accomplished by theslotted plate Z1, which is actuated by connections with the door orturnstile, or with the rock-shaft X, and is arranged to act on the leverC1 which is connected with the rock-shaft D1 to which the doors N1 aresecured.

lt will of course be understood that suitable o-penings are made in thebed R1 to permit the doors N1 to swing downward, as indicated in Figs.18 and 1S). ln the particular arrangement shown, the rock-shaft X isprovided with an arm F1 and connection K1, Fig. 17, which operates thesliding plate Z1. rlhis plate is arranged to slide in any suitableguides and it and its connected parts may be duplicated at each end ofthe machine. lts lower end may be guided by an opening in the bed R1while its upper end slides in any suitable ways on the side-frame of themachine. As the plate Z1 descends, it act-uates the lever C1 by means ofa double inclined slot so as to open and close the door at the bottom ofthe ballot-holder guide before the plunger is returned by the descent ofthe bar V. The slot in the plate is indicated at X1, Figs. 17 and 19,and it acts on the pin U3 on the lever C1, which is connected with therock-shaft D1 by the link @2 and the crank z2. The slot X1 has a doubleinclined portion, t2, 253, at its lower end, which acts 'on the pin ugon the lever (l1 to swing it first one way and then in the other, whichmotion is transmitted to the rock-shaft D1 to open and close the door N1at the bottom of t-he guides for the ballot-holders. The lever C1 swingson a pivot, j2, carried by the side-frame of the machine, or, as in theconstruction shown, by the standard O1 fastened to the bed R1. ln thisarrangement the bracket O1 is provided with a slot, (Z3, Fig. 19, topermit the movement of the pin a3. As the rock-shaft X turns and theslotted plate Zl descends, the rst action of the slotted plate is toopen and close the door 1 1, after which the straight part of the slotX1 holds the door closed during the remaining portion of its travel. Thedoor is opened and closed when the voter enters the booth and the plateZ1 is raised, but this movement has no effect on the voting, eitherstraight-ticket, selective or irregular. The interior of theballotholder guide, is given a form corresponding with that of theopening Q1 in the key-plate, and the upper part of the ballot-holderguide L1 is slotted to permit the movement of the arm G1. rlthe returnof the door N1 before the plunger P1 moves, insures the ejection of anyarticle or substance which may have been maliciously inserted in theguide L1. When the irregular device is applied to the channeled section,the front of the section is provided with an opening corresponding inshape with Q1 in the keyplate.

'thrust upward.

Below the doors N1 the machine is provided with suitable chutes by whichthe ballotholders are guided during their delivery into theballot-receptacles at the base of the machina-which receptacles are keptlocked during the election, to be opened at its close to allow theelection-inspectors to ascertain the scattering or irregular vote, bycounting the ballots in the ballot-holders. ln case of any irregularityin any of the irregular votes,-such as two names on the same ballot,such vote will be rejected.

It will of course be understood that my improved voting machine will beprovided with as many sections or lines ot counters, (with irregulars,ir" desired) as there are offices to be filled at any election at whichthe machine is to be used. ln order to adapt the machine tomulticandidate voting-that is, where each party has the rightl tonominate two or more candidates tor the same otlice, one or more of thepins l between the abutments rll Cl T2 are removedV-so as to allowlateral movement in the channel h1 to the abutment which is normallyheld in place by the pin.

Suppose it is required that the machine be adapted to a multicandidategroup or" two,A that is, two candidates for coroner, say, are nominatedby the same political party, then the pin l in the abutment T2, 2, isremoved, and this abutment is thus allowed a certain amount ot lateralmovement. Un.` der this arrangement, any two oit the interlocking rodsin the right hand section ot Fig. 2, can be thrust upward, or any two inthe next adjacent section, or any one in one of the sections, or any onein the other, but atter two such rods ha ve been operated, no others ineither ot' the sections can be llhe voter theretore can vote for any twocandidates out ot the twelve, and he cannot vote lor more than two. Hecan also use either or both .irregulars, which are interlocked in thegroup. will be obvious that by removing two or more of the pins l thesystem may be extended to multicandidate groiuas where 'three or morecandidates are proposed by the same party tor the same oliice.

In Fig. 20 lt have shown cam et a form which l have employed inconnection with a turnstile to secure the proper motion oit theconnection 1/1 and rock-shaft K. lt will be understood that therocloshatft ma be operated by any suitable mechanism trom the door orturnstile ot the voting con'iparb ment.

lt will be obvious to the skilled constructor that many alterations orchanges trom the inventions herein described may be made, withoutdeparture trom the fundamental principles thereo't'. Thus any suitableorm of counter' or registering device may be used and it may be renderedvisible for the purpose of taking the count from the same side of thekey-plate on which the voting is done, and any such suitable counter maybe provid ed with a marked or particolored portion which is visible tothe vot r to show that the mechanism operates at the time he votes. rlhestraight-ticket counters may be of a construction different from theselective-voting counters, and they may be arranged horizontally insteadot vertically. rlhe arrangement of the connections between the inlet oroutlet doors and the restoring mechanism may be ott any preferred kind.The interlocking mechanism may be variously modilied. The keys andoperating levers may be made in one piece. Some oit' the improvementsherein described may be employed in connection with a voting machinewhich reads from the back or rear. rlhe studs m may be dispensed with,Athe levers being bent to properly connect vith the interlocking-rods.Any suitable locking devices may be employed on the interlocking rods,and any suitable tripping nlechai'iism. Rollers may be employed 'for theinterlocking blocks. The relative dimensions of the star-wheels,counters, levers and yokes may be varied. rlhe counterdisks may beplaced on separate axes, instead ot upon one as shown. Any suitablemechanism may be employed for closing` the doors ot' the irregularbetere the plunger rcturns. And the resetting or restoring mechanism maybe of any suitable arrange` .ment or construction.

It will be understood that, instead ot using the shalt U1, the lever S1regular plunger may be pivoted on a suitable stud carried by an arm orarms a2, Fig. 1S, attached to the section F. ln this case the irregulardevice can be inserted in the machine along with the channel, it beingonly necessary to connect the interlocking rod at. T he guide L1 isattched to the section in any suitable way,-as by the flanges m2, Fig.1S. As the guide L1 is not as wide as the channel F the opening for thedoor N1 is Ytermed through the lug e1 at the lower end of the section.rlhe parts ot this lug then project between the guide and the inside otthe section, so as to secure the latter in place.

I claim.

l. rllhe combination, in a voting machine, ot the movable aperturedkey-plate, the upper and lower transverse plates having lugs thereon,the tl-shaped channel section adapted to tit on the lugs, the counterssupported in the channel, suitable counter actuating mechanisms, and theshutter provided with apertures adapted to register with the aperturesin the key-plate.

2. The combination, in a voting machine, oit the removable key-plateprovided with sight and key apertures, the upper and lower transverseplates having lugs thereon, the

of the ir-v llO channeled section adapted to fit on the lugs, thecounters supported in the channel, the counter levers pivoted on thechannel and projecting through the key-plate, and the shutter providedwith apertures adapted to register with the sight openings on the plateand in the channel.

3. The combination with the key-plate A of a voting machine, providedwith openings lo, of the counter and its actuating mechanism, and theshutterLprovided with openings N and 0.

4. The combination with the key-plate of a voting machine, of a seriesof counters representing candidates for the same oflice, each counterhaving a differentially-marked surface moving with the units-wheel, acorresponding series of inspection apertures through the key-plate, amovable shutter covering all the counters, and provided with aperturesthrough which the voter can observe the movement of the differentiallymarked surface while voting, and other apertures which by the movementof the shutter display all the counters after the close of the election,suitable counter actuating mechanism, and suitable interlockingmechanism between the counters.

5. The combination with the apertured key-plate of a vot-ing machine, ofa series of counters having a differentially-marked surface moving withthe units-wheel, a movable apertured shutter arranged normally toconceal the counts on the counters, but adapted to display the movingsurfaces to the voter during the voting operation and to uncover thecounters at the end of the election, suitable counter actuatingmechanism, and suitable interlocking mechanism bet-ween the counters.

6. The combination with t-he apertured key-plate of a voting machine, ofa counter having a differentially-marked surface moving with theunits-wheel, a shutter provided with two openings, one of which displayssuch surface to the voter through the apertures in the key-plate whilethe numbers of the units-wheel are concealed, and the other permits theinspection of all the figures on the counter at the close of theelect-ion, and suitable counter actuating mechanism.

7. The combination with the apertured key-plate of a voting machine, ofthe counter having a diiferentially-marked surface moving with theunits-wheel visible to the voter, the movable shutter arranged tonormally obscure the indications of the counter,

but provided with an Opening through which the movement of theunits-wheel may be perceived by the voter.

8. The combination with the apertured key-plate A of a voting machine,of the counters arranged opposite the openings, suitable counteractuating mechanism, the shutter L having openings N which permits theinspection of the counters from the front of t-he key-plate, andopenings 0 through which the successive movements of the unitswheel ofthe counters are perceptible to the voter.

9. In a voting machine, the ballot registering counter having adifferentially marked surface arranged to permit the inspection afterthe election of its indications from the front or voting side of thekey-plate, suitable counter actuating mechanism, means for concealingthe counter from view during the progress of an election, and means forpermitting the voter to observe the movement of a differentially-markedsurface moving with the units-wheel at each voting operation.

l0. The combination of voting mechanisms and interlocking means thereforwith the ballot-holder guide, of the plunger arranged to reciprocatetherein, and the movable guide at the bottom of the guide arranged toopen and close the ballot holder guide before the return of the plunger.

ll. The combination of voting mechanisms and interlocking means thereforwith the ballot-holder guide, of the plunger arranged to reciprocatetherein, the movable door at the bottom of the guide, the slottedreciprocating plate Z and suitable operating connections between saidplates and door.

l2. The combination with one or more of the counters of the selectivevoting mechanism of a voting machine, and suit-able operating andinterlocking mechanisms, of an irregular voting device comprising aballotholder guide, a reciprocating plunger therein connected with theinterlocking mechanism, a movable door for the guide, and suitablemechanism for opening and closing said door before the return of theplunger.

13. In a voting machine, the combination with voting mechanisms arrangedin a row of a removable U-shaped channel section for each row.

HENRY C. H. COOPER. Witnesses:

J. WV. HINE, ANGUS MoKnNzm.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

